Counter-protector



(No Model.)

0. A. SGH'ULTS. OOUNTER PROTECTOR.

Patented Apr. 121.1892.

MI 0/ w m UNITED STATES:

PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES A. SOHULTS, OF AMES, NEW YORK.

COUNTER-PROTECTOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 472,771, dated April 12, 1892.

Application filed January 12, 1892. Serial No. 417,797. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CHARLES A. SCHULTSfcL citizen of the United States, residing at Ames, in the county of Montgomery and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvementsin Counter-Protectors; and I do hereby declare the following to be afull, clear, and exact description of theinvention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention relates to boots or shoes, and more especially to that class thereof known as tips ant stitfeners, and the object of the same is to provide an improved counter-protectorforsupportingand strengthsuing the heel and counter of a boot or'shoe. This object I accomplish by constructing my device in substantially the manner hereinafter described and claimed, although it will be evident that some change in the specific details thereof may be made without departing from the spirit of myinvention.

Inthe accompanying drawings, forming part of this specification, Figure 1 is abottom perspective view of a boot with the sole thereof bent down to expose the inturned edges of the upper at the heel and illustrating my outside protector as secured to the heel and my single inside protector in dotted lines in position inside the counter at the left side of the heel. Fig. 2 is a cross-section through the heel of a boot, looking from the rear, and showing a single protector of what I call the inside type inside the heel but outside the sole and counter at the right side of the boot. Fig. 3 is an enlarged perspective detail of a double inside protector, showing the ear and tangs at one side as they are stamped from the blank and at the other side in the position they assume when bent into place. Fig. 4 is a similar perspective detail of my outside protector with one tang in position and the fastening-screws slightly removed.

This improved protector is of sheet metal, such as brass, iron, galvanized iron, or tin, and may be stamped from a large sheet by suitable dies, or it may be cast or otherwise formed, as preferred. It is made in sizes to correspond with the size of the boot or shoe to which it is to be applied, and is preferably put in place during the manufacture of the boot or shoe, although it may be applied later, if desired.

It is Well known to those skilled in this art that foot-wear of light stock is liable to run over at the heel, especially if the wearer has Weak ankles or is inclined to Walk slightly on one side of his foot at the heel; and my object is to provide a device which will so stiffen the heel that it will protect the counter thereof and cause the boot or shoe to be more durable and shapely, as well as strengthening and shaping the Wearers foot. This object I accomplish by my protector, whichI make in two types and four shapes, all in sizes as may be necessary and applied as will be clear. Y

The outside type of my protector is secured wholly and entirely outside the boot, except the tangs or nails, as follows, and as best illustrated. in Fig. 4: O is the body of this type of protector, from whose center rises an ear E, extending, preferably, straight up from the body about an inch, (more orless,) and from the upper edge of the body at its ends rise tangs T, which are out separate from the sides of the carwhen the device is made. The body is provided with holes H, through which may pass screws or nails N.

In applying this type of protector the sole is slightly loosened from the inturned edges of the upper, the tan'gs or nails Tare bent in and inserted between the sole and said edges, and the nails or screws are passed through the holes into the edge of the heel to hold the whole in place, the sole being resecured, as will be understood. The ear passes up outside the counter, preferably over the side or rear seam therein, and is preferably secured to the counter by cement or by stitches S through perforations P in the ear, as indicated in dotted lines.

The insidetype of my protector is so called because it stands inside the heel or above the same when in place, whereas the other type thereofstands outside the heel. This type comprises a body I, of approximate horseshoe shape, and an ear E, rising from the right or the left side thereof, or in the double shape from both sides, as shown in Fig. 3. The ear stands in avertical position,

whereas the body is in a horizontal plane, and at each side of each ear there is preferably a tang T, similar to those described above, although the tangs are not absolutely necessary in this case.

In applying this type of protector inside the upper the latter is loosened from the sole, which is bent down, and the body of the protector is inserted above the inturned edges of the upper, the ear standing upright between the upper and the counter, as seen in dotted lines in Fig. l, and preferably stitchedto the counter, as shown in Fig. 4, the tangs, if they are used, passing in under the edge of the counter and over the insole. The sole and heel are then secured in proper position. The tangs and ear may stand at either side of the boot or shoe, as will be clear,or at both sides, if desired.

- In applying, this type of protector outside the upper the heel only is removed, and the body I is applied beneath the sole and out of contact with the inturned edges of the upper, the tangs, if they are employed, preferably then passing over the edges of the sole and between the latter and the inturned edges of the upper, as seen in Fig. 2. cured by cement or stitching, as is the ear of the outside protector, and the heel is then applied and fastened, as usual. The tangs and ear may also here stand at either or both sides, as will be understood, and screws or the heel-nails pass through holes H in the body. If the metal of which the protector is made is sufficiently strong and stitf, the cement and other fasteningsuch as the stitches shown in dotted lines-will not be necessary, because the protector will hold its shape and position without them. The whole may be painted or enameled, and especially in the case of the outside type, not only to cause it causethey are subjected to such rough wear and they so often rip in their upper and side seams, which my invention prevents; but I ,do not limit its use to boots alone,'as the protector could be used with advantage on high or low shoes, slippers, or almost anyform of foot-wear.

I claim as m yin'vention- 1. As an article of lnanufa'cturathe hereindescribed counter-protector, the same consisting of a horseshoe-shaped sheet-metal body provided with screw-holes, an ear rising from the edge of the body and in a plane at approximate right angles thereto, and narrow tangs also rising from said edge at the sides of the ear and turned in at right angles to the latter, the whole adapted for application to a'b'oot,

as set forth. The ear is se- 2. As an article of manufacture, the hereindescribed counter-protector, the sameco'nsist ing of a body provided with screw-holes, an

ear rising from the edge of the body, and nar-' row tangs also rising from said edge at the .sides of the ear and wholly above said screwholes, the tips of the tangs being bent, in at rightangles to the plane'of the ear, the whole adapted for application to a'boot, as set forth. In testimony whereof I aflix my signature in presence of twowitnesses.

CHAS. A. SOHULTS. Witnesses:

GEORGE A. TABOR, ABRAM J .DoPP. 

